Read, Reading, Will Read

Read

Reading

Will read.

Rose and Peony Parade

More peonies to love and admire. My mother's are not fully in bloom yet but I will be pilfering some from there as well. Mine are almost finished.

This is Earth Song. What a heavenly shaped rose. Such a pretty colour as well.

John Cabot is doing his bit. It was so windy I was unable to get a really nice photo. I am sure there will be more to come.

William Baffin looking every so charming. He is a very hard worker and loves where he is living. Morning sun and later afternoon sun seems to be his preference. There are hundreds (thousands?) of buds, just waiting to open.

We are still waiting for the Fairy and my Celeste. Soon.

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My summer is really shaping up to be a busy one. I have enrolled the youngest in a camp for two weeks and hopefully a soccer camp later in the summer. We will be away up north for a week or two with my mum and dad, which we do every year. I am also suppose to be going away again with some friends for a weekend shopping in the US and will also be making some trips down there for University trips for DN2. We also have 8-10 home visits lined up with the US universities that wish to come see my daughter at home. This will be taking up much of July.

Again, not sure where all this "time" is suppose to materialise from.

Also, I just made up another batch of the laundry powder. It really lasted quite a long time and am ever so pleased with it. Have you tried it yet?

PS Thank you so very much for your lovely comments on my flowers and the new header. As always, you make my day (week, month...)

Wednesday, Really?

I know what you are saying. I know I am taking way too many flower photos but I am truly just trying to see how this camera works.

Apparently there is this menu for colour. I have just discovered it. It is Vivid. I think it makes a bit of a difference. More vivid, maybe. (I am so funny)

Okay this one not so good. I don't think I waited long enough for full power after the last picture. Trial and error.

And finally, this is Celeste (celestial) rose. It is always a gamble whether she will bloom. Aphids attack her like there's not tomorrow. Will I get blooms? We shall see. I am patiently waiting for John Cabot, William Baffin and the Fairy to bloom. Aren't you excited? More flower pictures coming soon ;)

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Have a great day Ladies!

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Did you notice my new banner?

Lazy, Rainy, Flowery Sunday

Most of us are still snuggled in bed. It is very cloudy and overcast today with rain expected for the next few days. Motivation to run out to the garden and get a few of these beauties before they are pummeled by rain. That would be my luck. The hail storm we had a few weeks back destroyed many of the leaves and a handful of buds. I have showcased them in my enamel teapot and or coffeepot.

This picture is definitely more true to the colour. What a pretty blue. I wish I could find more enamel in this colour, it is so delightful.

Doesn't she seem terribly happy on the dresser?

The rest of the day will be with Romantic Homes. Me, tea and romantic charm. That's it.

Oh, and Mr. Youknowwho as well. He doesn't take well to rain at all. He is usually curled up into a ball with BOTH feet and part of his snout in my slippers. How cute is that?

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Happy Sunday, Ladies.

Yummy Potting Sheds and other Ideas

How absolutely delightful. During my quest for shed resources I have come across this brilliant book. Yes, maybe a little more Chic than Shed, but I am loving this book. How utterly bohemian would it be to have this caravan in your back garden!

A relaxing cup of tea and a biscuit here surrounded by all the flowers you love?

Or to dine alfresco with all this Christina Strutt loveliness? How beautiful is that?

I want to cosy up on this daybed with a book and revel in the squishiness of it. And how gorgeous is that heart shaped cushion with that stunning print?

A guest bedroom shed.

I must admit I am truly loving this but where would my lawn mower and bug killer go? It just doesn't co-ordinate somehow with the chintz.

Love the rustic charm of this.

I just like this. No special reason other than a feeling of contentment.

I love the white beadboard and the chandelier.

Okay, maybe technically they are not true potting sheds but the photography and rooms are amazing. I love this book and have been through it at least 5 times. You simply must beg, borrow or buy this as I am sure you will be as captivated by the beauty as I am.






all photos :: Shed Chic by Sally Coulthard

Enamelware Goodies

While my husband and I were busy all weekend painting the porch, my mum was off at garage sales. As we are busy painting, my mum calls, my husband answers and tells me she wants to speak to me. As busy as I was, I am glad I took the call. She was at a garage sale where the woman was getting rid of all her enamelware. I quickly shot over (after telling my husband, "My mother needs me") and got these lovely pieces. A white bucket for planting flowers, a white jug and the soon to be favourite, baby blue teapot/coffee pot. It truly is baby blue. Not this colour my camera has chosen to show.

Really, it is blue.

And a few other treasures I have picked up along the way. A charming jam pot already low on jam! A lovely refrigerator box and these adorable plates.


I love the rosy trim with the blue. So delightful, I just wish there had been more, I only found 3 of them.

The little white lantern was picked up as well. Blimey! Who can pass up $1.99 with the candle too? (Even if you already have too many to count, they are great to have)

Oh and the wicker sale. Just kidding. This is the porch furniture waiting to go back as soon as the floor dries. Please ignore the major construction going on next door. Speaking of which, would you be angry if you constantly had strangers up your driveway almost in your back garden at least once a day? This gets me mad. People checking out the renovation next door. No problem. But not on my property, please! My youngest is eleven and I really do not need strangers in my back garden especially if my daughter is playing back there. Do you think I should put a PRIVATE PROPERTY sign out? I really don't think it will stop them. Do you know I have had one man get mad at me for telling him to move? Just a little venting, thank you. Moving right along...

My little rosy mat for the porch. And a peek at my very bright blue toenail polish.

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Believe me there is much more going on in my life but I feel I can only give you little tidbits, lest you nod off in your cuppa...

Happy Monday, girlies!

Thrifty Thursday

The title should actually read "Cleaning Thursday".

I am cleaning and tidying as best I can, but between going outside to clean up branches and rubbish that is quickly accumulating on my property from the wind, and dropping off kids at school, I really am not getting much done.

While cleaning the girls' bathroom I thought I would take a picture of the little pink wicker shelf I picked up last weekend with my mum. Isn't it charming?

I don't know whether to leave it the way it is or hang it? What do you think?

I am still learning about the camera and have not quite figured out the best setting for the indoor daytime shots.
Thank you for being a captive audience while I am learning!

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Happy Thursday

Lisa xo

Playing...

With my new camera.

I may have fallen in love...again. I am quite enjoying it but this is from the first 10 minutes of owning it so please be patient with me.

It will take me weeks (when I say "weeks" we all know I really mean "months" right?) to figure out all the bells and whistles, of which I hope there are few, as I am so tekkie challenged it really is not funny (I am waiting for hockey daughter to come home from Calgary to change the cartridge of the copier/scanner thingamajiggy).

This is the fabric I will be using to make the curtains for the newly painted kitchen. Do you like it? It is a gorgeous flowery linen and I just lurve it.

More practice.

Is it just me or is green and blue just a heavenly mix sometimes?

Did I ever mention how much I love Greengate?

Now I am not sure if I duplicated any of these photos. If I did, please accept my apologies.

Aren't flowers just the thing?

The camera is a Nikon. That is what I finally chose after taking a good 45 minutes to figure out which camera had what. Although they all basically have the same stuff when it comes to the point and shoot variety. Thank you all for your suggestions they were helpful.








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And a very Happy Mother's Day to those that celebrate it today.